Graduate Certificate in Management

The program provides students with access to graduate coursework in management practice. Many students receive strong training in technical skills (e.g., engineering or in computer science) that are essential for securing initial employment. Over time, such students may wish to progress in their careers and become supervisors or managers of organizational units in their core discipline. To be prepared for the managerial role, these individuals need access to knowledge and practice in the management, supervision, and leadership of organizations.

The Graduate Certificate in Management will give these students exposure to the knowledge, understanding, and skills needed to succeed in the managerial role. Core courses in interpersonal relations skills, managerial theory, and/or organization behavior will give students a background in management practice and theory. Additional elective courses will enable students to tailor a program of study appropriate to their organization that will prepare them for advancement to particular organizational roles.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Management program is based on a thorough review of the required documents as well as supplemental materials that may be appropriate. The Graduate Admissions Committee of the Foster College of Business Administration makes the admission recommendation.

The required documents are the following:

Application form. All applicants must submit an Application for Graduate Admission, signed and dated by the applicant. Applications for Graduate Admission may also be submitted on line. All applicants must submit a non-refundable application fee, payable by check or money order, to Bradley University. The fee for domestic applicants is $40 and $50 for international applicants.

Transcript(s). Applicants are required to provide one official transcript sent directly from the Registrar's office at the institution from which they receive their bachelor's degree or the international equivalent. Additional transcripts may be required at the discretion of the Graduate School. Applicants should submit additional official transcripts from post-baccalaureate coursework for consideration. Applicants who have completed graduate-level coursework should submit all transcripts reflecting graduate coursework. Official transcripts should be submitted to: the Graduate School, Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois 61625.

Letters of recommendation. Two current letters of recommendation are required from persons who can comment meaningfully on the applicant’s capability for graduate-level study. Character references are not appropriate. Faculty members under whom the applicant has studied and supervisors are considered appropriate references.

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test). The GMAT is a standardized test designed to measure aptitude for graduate study in management. Applicants must arrange to take the test in sufficient time to permit processing of the application with the test results prior to the application deadline. For reporting the test results, the Bradley University GMAT institutional code is 1070. Information about the GMAT may be obtained by contacting the Graduate School Office or by visiting www.mba.com.

Essays. Answers to essay questions must be complete with meaningful and well-developed answers to the questions on the goals of the applicant.

A current resume. Since the evaluation includes analysis of work experience, a current resume is very helpful to the admissions committee.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Applicable only to international students whose native language is not English. The test measures proficiency in oral and written English. The IELTS is an acceptable substitute for TOEFL.

Admissions Criteria

The entire application package including the GMAT score, the undergraduate GPA, transcripts, letters of recommendation, experience, essay responses, and other materials are all considered in an application review for student admission.

The GMAT exam may be waived if the applicant has earned a terminal degree in his/her profession (i.e. JD in law or a PhD in some field). The GMAT may also be waived if the candidate has a master's degree in an analytically rigorous discipline (i.e. mathematics, engineering, etc.) and a master's GPA of at least 3.4 or better. The decision on the waiver of the GMAT rests with the Graduate Admissions Committee. To request a waiver, the applicant must include a written request with the application materials.

Course Enrollment

Graduate courses in business administration are restricted to graduate students who have been admitted to the MBA program or another degree-granting or certificate-granting program in the Graduate School. Enrollment in courses is on a space-available basis. Students-at-large may not take 600-level graduate courses in the Foster College of Business Administration.

Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Management will require students to take 12 hours of courses, all of which are within the structure of the existing Master's of Business Administration program.

Students must take at least one of the following three courses, which constitute Core Contents for the Graduate Certificate in Management: